Paint-striping laser guidance system and related technology

ABSTRACT

A system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a paint-striping machine having a carriage, an outrigger operably connected to the carriage, and a downwardly oriented nozzle carried by the outrigger. The carriage moves along pavement while the nozzle dispenses paint, thereby forming a paint stripe on the pavement. The system further includes a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine. The guidance system includes a light-emitting device and a mounting and containment assembly that provides an adjustable connection between the light-emitting device and the paint-striping machine. The light-emitting device forms a planar light region having a vertical orientation. The mounting and containment assembly includes an adjustment mechanism operable to move the light-emitting device relative to the paint-striping machine, thereby changing a yaw angle of the planar light region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/710,437, filed May 12, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 61/992,695 filed May 13, 2014. The foregoingapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.To the extent the foregoing applications or any other materialincorporated herein by reference conflicts with the present disclosure,the preset disclosure controls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology is related to reference systems for guidingparking-lot line painting operations and other types of linearalteration of underfoot surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Linear alteration of underfoot surfaces is a common construction andmaintenance task that, using conventional technology, tends to be undulycumbersome. For example, a project involving painting lines on pavementto delineate parking spaces using conventional technology is likely tobegin with a time-consuming layout process. In a particular example ofsuch a process, a crew first marks beginning and ending points of eachline to be painted. Next, the crew affixes a string at one of thebeginning and ending points of a given line. The crew then affixes thestring at the other of the beginning and ending points of the givenline. When the string is taut, the crew presumes it to be an accuraterepresentation of a straight path between the beginning and endingpoints of the given line. The crew then marks the path based on theposition of the string and repeats the same process for each of theremaining lines to be painted. To mark the path, the crew may, forexample, either “snap” the line to leave behind a chalk marking or walkalong the path and paint dashes, dots, or other indications of the pathat intermittent positions along the length of the string. Finally, thecrew uses the mark or marks to guide movement of a paint-stripingmachine that applies paint along the path. As discussed below, thisapproach to painting lines and other approaches to the same and othertypes of linear alteration of underfoot surfaces have certainlimitations and/or disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a need forinnovation in this field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on clearlyillustrating the principles of the present technology. For ease ofreference, throughout this disclosure identical reference numbers may beused to identify identical or at least generally similar or analogouscomponents or features.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top and one side illustrating apaint-striping system in accordance with an embodiment of the presenttechnology. As shown in FIG. 1, the paint-striping system can include apaint-striping machine, a guidance system, and a portable target. Thepaint-striping machine can include a first outrigger and a secondoutrigger.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view from the top and one side of alight-emitting device of the guidance system shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a front profile view, arear profile view, a first side profile view, a second side profileview, a top plan view, and a bottom plan view of the guidance system andthe second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, a partially schematic profile view anda partially schematic top plan view of the paint-striping system shownin FIG. 1 while the light-emitting device shown in FIG. 2B emits, towardthe target, a planar light region having a vertical orientation.

FIG. 11 is a front profile view of the target shown in FIG. 1 while theplanar light region shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is in alignment with thetarget.

FIG. 12 is a front profile view of the target shown in FIG. 1 after theplanar light region shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 moves out of alignment withthe target.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, perspective views from the top andone side of the guidance system and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1before and after the guidance system is adjustably connected to thesecond outrigger.

FIG. 15 is another perspective view from the top and one side of theguidance system and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after a mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in FIG. 15 to change a yaw angle of the planar light regionshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after the mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in in FIG. 15 to change a pitch angle of the planar lightregion shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem and the second outrigger shown in FIG. 1 after the mounting andcontainment assembly of the guidance system is adjusted relative to itsposition in in FIG. 15 to change a roll angle of the planar light regionshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 19A-21 are perspective views illustrating different mountingoptions for mounting and containment assemblies of guidance systems ofpaint-striping systems in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating thepaint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodimentof the present technology.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a first calibration method forcalibrating the paint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating a second calibration method forcalibrating the paint-striping system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology aredisclosed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-24. Although these detailsmay be disclosed herein primarily or entirely in the context ofpaint-striping applications, other applications are within the scope ofthe present technology. For example, systems, devices, and methodsconfigured in accordance with at least some embodiments of the presenttechnology can be used in the context of guiding movement of riding andwalk-behind machines that perform types of surface modification otherthan painting (e.g., cutting, grinding, chalking, etc.). It should benoted that embodiments of the present technology can have differentconfigurations, components, features, and procedures than thosedisclosed herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that embodiments of the present technology can haveconfigurations, components, features, and procedures in addition tothose disclosed herein and that these and other embodiments can bewithout several of the configurations, components, features, andprocedures disclosed herein without deviating from the presenttechnology.

Conventional approaches to painting lines on pavement and other types oflinear alteration of underfoot surfaces tend to be labor-intensive andimprecise. For example, in the background example described above, acrew of four is common, with a first member of the crew holding one endof the string, a second member of the crew holding the other end of thestring, a third member of the crew marking the locations of the string,and a fourth member of the crew steering the paint-striping machine.This is highly inefficient. Furthermore, presuming that a taut string isan accurate representation of a straight path is dubious even underideal conditions. In windy conditions, string lines tend to bow,particularly over long distances. String lines are also apt to snag onobstructions. Due to these and/or other problems, the straightness of apainted line laid out using a string tends to be suboptimal.

Systems, devices, and methods in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology can at least partially address one or more of theproblems discussed above and/or other problems associated withconventional technologies whether or not stated herein. In a particularexample, a paint-striping system configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology includes a paint-striping machineand a guidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine.The guidance system can be configured to form a planar light regionhaving a vertical orientation. A visible indicator line can be formedwhere this planar light region projects onto an underfoot surface and/ora target surface. The visible indicator line can be used to guidemovement of the paint-striping machine along a straight path even in theabsence of layout markings between endpoints of the path. Guidance basedon this visible indicator line can be highly reliable regardless ofwind, rough terrain, and other conditions and features that would tendto adversely affect the performance of conventional string lines.Furthermore, in contrast to guidance based on conventional string lines,guidance based on the visible indicator line may actually becomeincreasingly reliable as the length of the path increases (e.g., becausegreater distance may tend to attenuate minor calibrationirregularities). Thus, use of the guidance system can reduce oreliminate the need for labor associated with formingendpoint-to-endpoint layout markings and provide reliable guidance thatyields straighter lines than would be achieved using conventionaltechnologies. These advantages and other aspects of systems inaccordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology arefurther discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-21.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top and one side illustrating apaint-striping system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. The paint-striping system 100 can include apaint-striping machine 102 and a guidance system 104 operably connectedto the paint-striping machine 102. The paint-striping system 100 canfurther include a portable target 105. The paint-striping machine 102can include a carriage 106 configured to move along pavement, and adownwardly oriented nozzle 108 configured to dispense paint and therebyform a paint stripe on the pavement as the carriage 106 moves along thepavement. The paint-striping machine 102 can further include a firstoutrigger 110 and a second outrigger 112 both operably connected to thecarriage 106, with the second outrigger 112 being rearwardly positionedrelative to the first outrigger 110. The first and second outriggers110, 112 can carry the nozzle 108 and the guidance system 104,respectively. For example, the first outrigger 110 can include a firstelongate vertical rod 114 and a coupler 116 that releasably connects thenozzle 108 to the first rod 114. The coupler 116 can be repositionablealong a length of the first rod 114 to change a height of the nozzle 108relative to the pavement. The second outrigger 112 can include a secondelongate vertical rod 118 to which the guidance system 104 is operablyconnected.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view from the top and one side of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112. FIG. 2B is a perspective viewfrom the top and one side of a light-emitting device 120 of the guidancesystem 104. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a front profileview, a rear profile view, a first side profile view, a second sideprofile view, a top plan view, and a bottom plan view of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112. As shown in FIG. 2A, theguidance system 104 can include a mounting and containment assembly 122that contains the light-emitting device 120 and provides an adjustableconnection between the light-emitting device 120 and the paint-stripingmachine 102. The mounting and containment assembly 122 can include ahousing 124 having an optical exit 126. The light-emitting device 120can be disposed within the housing 124 such that light from thelight-emitting device 120 is projected outward from the guidance system104 via the optical exit 126. As shown in FIG. 2B, the light-emittingdevice 120 can include a laser 128 (e.g., a laser diode), an aperture130, a collimating lens 132, and a fan lens 134 operably associated withone another and positioned within the housing 124 successively closer tothe optical exit 126. The aperture 130, the collimating lens 132, andthe fan lens 134 can be configured to convert light from the laser 128into a fan-shaped planar light region.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8 together, the mounting and containmentassembly 122 can include a clamp 136 having a frame 138 and a gripper140 inset within the frame 138. The gripper 140 can be configured toreleasably grip the second rod 118. The mounting and containmentassembly 122 can further include a support 142 operably connected to theclamp 136 and positioned to be at a first side of the second rod 118when the gripper 140 releasably grips the second rod 118. For example,the clamp 136 can be positioned relative to the support 142 such thatthe frame 138 extends laterally from the support 142. The clamp 136 canbe configured to grip the second rod 118 via the gripper 140 and therebyreleasably secure the support 142 to the second outrigger 112. Thesupport 142 can include a platform 144 and can carry the housing 124 viathe platform 144. The clamp 136 can include a bracket 146 having a firstflange 148 parallel and adjacent to the platform 144, and a secondflange 150 parallel and adjacent to a sidewall of the housing 124.

The clamp 136 can be configured to be conveniently retrofitted forcompatibility with rods having different transverse cross-sectionalshapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the gripper 140, whichconforms to a circular transverse cross-sectional shape of the secondrod 118, can be removable and replaceable with a different gripper (notshown) that conforms to a different transverse cross-sectional shape ofa different elongate rod (also not shown). The gripper 140 can include afirst jaw 152 and an opposing second jaw 154 having respective concaveinwardly facing surfaces that abut opposites sides of the second rod118. The frame 138 can include a swing arm 156 hingedly connected to thesupport 142. The swing arm 156 can carry the first jaw 152 toward andaway from the second jaw 154 to transition the clamp 136 between aclosed state and an open state. The clamp 136 can include a clasp 160that secures the clamp 136 in the closed state. In the illustratedembodiment, the clasp 160 includes a threaded axle 161 through which theframe 138 is rotatably connected to the gripper 140. The threaded axle161 can be rotatable to increase a force exerted by the gripper 140against the second rod 118. When the gripper 140 releasably grips thesecond rod 118, the clasp 160 can be positioned at a side of the secondrod 118 opposite to a side of the second rod 118 at which the support142 is positioned. In other embodiments, the clasp 160 can have othersuitable forms.

The mounting and containment assembly 122 can be highly adjustable sothat the light-emitting device 120 can be oriented as needed. Forexample, the mounting and containment assembly 122 can include a firstadjustment mechanism 162 operable to move the light-emitting device 120relative to the paint-striping machine 102 and thereby change a yawangle of a planar light region produced by the light-emitting device120. Similarly, the mounting and containment assembly 122 can include asecond adjustment mechanism 164 operable to move the light-emittingdevice 120 relative to the paint-striping machine 102 and thereby changea pitch angle of the planar light region. In the illustrated embodiment,the first adjustment mechanism 162 includes a slider 166 that can beshifted left or right to pivot the bracket 146 relative to the platform144. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism164 includes a knob 168 that can be rotated to pivot the housing 124relative to the bracket 146. Thus, the first adjustment mechanism 162can be slidably operable to change the yaw angle of the planar lightregion and the second adjustment mechanism 164 can be rotatably operableto change the pitch angle of the planar light region. This arrangementis expected to be highly intuitive for users of the guidance system 104.In other embodiments, the first and second adjustment mechanisms 162,164 can have other suitable forms.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, a partially schematic profile view anda partially schematic top plan view of the paint-striping system 100while the light-emitting device 120 emits, toward the target 105, aplanar light region 170 having a vertical orientation. In FIGS. 9 and10, portions of the paint-striping machine 102 (FIG. 1) other than thenozzle 108 are omitted for clarity. FIG. 11 is a front profile view ofthe target 105 while the planar light region 170 is in alignment withthe target 105. FIG. 12 is a front profile view of the target 105 afterthe planar light region 170 moves out of alignment with the target 105.With reference to FIGS. 1-12 together, when the paint-striping system100 is in use, the paint-striping machine 102 and the target 105 can beat spaced apart positions on an underfoot surface 172 (e.g., an uppersurface of parking-lot pavement). The light-emitting device 120 (FIG.2A) of the guidance system 104 can emit light from the laser 128 via theaperture 130, the collimating lens 132, and the fan lens 134 to form theplanar light region 170. The planar light region 170 can have a verticalorientation and can form a first visible guidance line 174 on theunderfoot surface 172. The target 105 can have a reflective surface 175that faces toward the paint-striping machine 102 such that the planarlight region 170 forms a second visible guidance line 176 on thereflective surface 175. In the illustrated embodiment, the reflectivesurface 175 is deeply inset within the target 105. This can be useful,for example, to cause the reflective surface 175 to be shaded fromsunlight and thereby to enhance the visibility of the second visibleguidance line 176. As shown in FIG. 11, the target 105 can furtherinclude a non-reflective or otherwise visually distinctive alignmentmark 177 (e.g., a vertical line) on the reflective surface 175. In otherembodiments, the target 105 can have other suitable configurations.

As shown in FIG. 10, the paint-striping system 100 can be used to form apaint stripe 178 along a path extending between a first location 180(e.g., a starting location) and a second location 182 (e.g., an endinglocation) on the underfoot surface 172. In FIG. 10, each of the firstand second locations 180, 182 is temporarily marked with a chalk “x.”Other suitable marks designating endpoint of the path include flags,paint spots, etc. To begin the paint stripe 178, the paint-stripingmachine 102 can be positioned such that the nozzle 108 is directly abovethe first location 180. The target 105 can be positioned such that thealignment mark 177 is aligned with the path extending between the firstand second locations 180, 182. The paint-striping machine 102 can thenbe moved toward the target 105 while an operator (not shown) of thepaint-striping machine 102 maintains the second visible guidance line176 in alignment with the alignment mark 177. In addition oralternatively, the operator can maintain the first visible guidance line174 in alignment a mark corresponding to the second location 182. Theformer technique may be well suited for daytime operations when thesunlight reduces the visibility of the first visible guidance line 174.The latter technique may be well suited for nighttime operations whenthe first visible guidance line 174 is readily visible even at longdistances.

FIGS. 13-18 are perspective views from the top and one side of theguidance system 104 and the second outrigger 112 with the guidancesystem 104 in various states of connection and/or adjustment. Inparticular, FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, perspective views of theguidance system 104 and the second outrigger 112 before and after theguidance system 104 is adjustably connected to the second outrigger 112.FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the guidance system 104 and thesecond outrigger 112. FIGS. 16-18 are perspective views of the guidancesystem 104 and the second outrigger 112 after different adjustments ofthe guidance system 104 relative to its state in FIG. 15. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the swing arm 156 can be moved toward or away from thefixed arm 158 to secure or release the clamp 136 to the second rod 118.As shown in FIG. 16 relative to FIG. 15 and with reference to FIG. 9,the first adjustment mechanism 162 can be operated to change a yaw angle184 of the planar light region 170. As shown in FIG. 17 relative to FIG.15 and with reference to FIG. 9, the second adjustment mechanism 164 canbe operated to change a pitch angle 186 of the planar light region 170.As shown in FIG. 18 relative to FIG. 15 and with reference to FIG. 9,rotating the frame 138 relative to the gripper 140 at the clasp 160 canchange a roll angle 188 of the planar light region 170.

FIG. 19A-21 are perspective views illustrating different mountingoptions for mounting and containment assemblies of guidance systems ofpaint-striping systems in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, a mounting and containmentassembly of a guidance system of a paint striping-system in accordancewith some embodiments of the present technology is mounted to a smallround rod also carrying a paint-dispensing nozzle of the paintstriping-system. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, a mounting andcontainment assembly of a guidance system of a paint-striping system inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology is mounted toa large round rod. As shown in FIG. 21, a mounting and containmentassembly of a guidance system of a paint striping-system in accordancewith some embodiments of the present technology is mounted to one ofseveral suitable positioned on a square rod of an outrigger alsocarrying two paint-dispensing nozzles of the paint striping-system.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for operating thepaint-striping system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent technology. With reference to FIGS. 1-22 together, the method200 can include positioning the paint-striping machine 102 (“PSM” inFIGS. 22-24) on the underfoot surface 172 at the first location 180(block 202). When the paint-striping machine 102 is positioned at thefirst location 180, the nozzle 108 can be above a first end portion of apath for the planned paint stripe 178 on the underfoot surface 172.Next, the method 200 can include beginning the paint stripe 178 (block204), such as by beginning to dispense paint from the nozzle 108. Anoperator can then move the paint-striping machine 102 along theunderfoot surface 172 from the first location 180 toward the secondlocation 182 while dispensing paint from the nozzle 108 onto theunderfoot surface 172 to form a first portion of the paint stripe 178(block 206). The method 200 can further include emitting the planarlight region 170 from the guidance system 104 (block 208) while movingthe paint-striping machine 102. The operator can use the planar lightregion 170 to guide further movement of the paint-striping machine 102along the underfoot surface 172 toward the second location 182 (block210) while dispensing paint from the nozzle 108 onto the underfootsurface 172, thereby continuing the paint stripe 178 along the path. Forexample, this guidance can be based on alignment of the first visibleguidance line 174 with a first stationary reference (e.g., a mark at thesecond location 182) and/or alignment of the second visible guidanceline 176 with a second stationary reference (e.g., the alignment mark177). After the paint-striping machine 102 reaches the second location182 (block 212), the method 200 can include ending the paint stripe 178(block 214), such as by discontinuing a flow of paint through the nozzle108. When the paint-striping machine 102 is at the second location 182,the nozzle 108 can be above an end portion of the path.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a first calibration method 300 forcalibrating the paint-striping system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. This calibration can be carriedout, for example, at the beginning of a job (e.g., a planned set oflines to be painted) and/or occasionally during a job. Due, for example,to the adjustment features of the guidance system 104, calibration ofthe paint-striping system 100 can be convenient and capable of producingexcellent correspondence between the straightness of movement of thepaint-striping machine 102 and visual feedback from the guidance system104. The first calibration method 300 can be carried out on a referenceline, such as an existing paint stripe, a curb, a chalk like, or someother newly formed or existing feature known to be straight. Withreference to FIGS. 1-18 and 23 together, the first calibration method300 can include positioning the paint-striping machine 102 so that thenozzle 108 is above a first end portion of the reference line (block302). Next, the first calibration method 300 can include moving thepaint-striping machine 102 toward an opposite second end portion of thereference line (block 304) while emitting the planar light region 170from the guidance system 104 (block 306) to form the first visibleguidance line 174, the second visible guidance line 176, or both.

In at least some embodiments, moving the paint-striping machine 102 asignificant distance toward the second end portion of the reference lineis useful to improve the effectiveness of the calibration. For example,the first calibration method 300 can include further moving thepaint-striping machine 102 a distance of at least 50% (e.g., at least75%) of a total distance from the first end portion of the referenceline to the second end portion of the reference line while maintainingthe first visible guidance line 174 in alignment with a stationaryreference and/or maintaining the second visible guidance line 176 inalignment with a stationary reference. After and/or while further movingthe paint-striping machine 102 along the reference line, alignment ofthe nozzle 108 with the reference line can also be monitored. Ifmisalignment of the nozzle 108 with the reference line is detected(block 310), the first calibration method 300 can include adjusting theguidance system 104 to change the yaw angle 184 of the planar lightregion 170 (block 312). The first calibration method 300 can then berepeated until no misalignment of the nozzle 108 with the reference lineis detected.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating a second calibration method 400 forcalibrating the paint-striping system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology. The second calibration method 400can be used in addition to or in place of the first calibration method300 depending on field conditions. With reference to FIGS. 1-18 and 21together, the second calibration method 400 can include positioning thepaint-striping machine 102 so that the nozzle 108 is above the first endportion of the reference line (block 402). Next, the second calibrationmethod 400 can include moving the paint-striping machine 102 toward theopposite second end portion of the reference line (block 404) whileemitting the planar light region 170 from the guidance system 104 (block406) to form the first visible guidance line 174, the second visibleguidance line 176, or both. The second calibration method 400 canfurther include further moving the paint-striping machine 102 a distanceof at least 50% (e.g., at least 75%) of a total distance from the firstend portion of the reference line to the second end portion of thereference line while maintaining the nozzle 108 in alignment with thereference line. After and/or while further moving the paint-stripingmachine 102 along the reference line, alignment of the first visibleguidance line 174 with a stationary reference and/or alignment of thesecond visible guidance line 176 with a stationary reference can also bemonitored. If misalignment of the first and/or second visible guidancelines 174, 176 is detected (block 410), the second calibration method400 can include adjusting the guidance system 104 to change the yawangle 184 of the planar light region 170 (block 412). The secondcalibration method 400 can then be repeated until no misalignment of thefirst and/or second visible guidance lines 174, 176 is detected.

This disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presenttechnology to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specificembodiments are disclosed herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible without deviating from the presenttechnology, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art willrecognize. In some cases, well-known structures and functions have notbeen shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thedescription of the embodiments of the present technology. Although stepsof methods may be presented herein in a particular order, in alternativeembodiments the steps may have another suitable order. Similarly,certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context ofparticular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in otherembodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certainembodiments may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantagesdisclosed herein to fall within the scope of the present technology.Accordingly, this disclosure and associated technology can encompassother embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

Certain aspects of the present technology may take the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, including routines executed by acontroller or other data processor. In at least some embodiments, acontroller or other data processor is specifically programmed,configured, and/or constructed to perform one or more of thesecomputer-executable instructions. Furthermore, some aspects of thepresent technology may take the form of data (e.g., non-transitory data)stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic oroptically readable and/or removable computer discs as well as mediadistributed electronically over networks. Accordingly, data structuresand transmissions of data particular to aspects of the presenttechnology are encompassed within the scope of the present technology.The present technology also encompasses methods of both programmingcomputer-readable media to perform particular steps and executing thesteps.

The methods disclosed herein include and encompass, in addition tomethods of practicing the present technology (e.g., methods of makingand using the disclosed devices and systems), methods of instructingothers to practice the present technology. For example, a method inaccordance with a particular embodiment includes positioning apaint-striping machine at a first location, moving the paint-stripingmachine from the first location toward a second location whiledispensing paint, emitting a planar light region having a verticalorientation to form a guidance line while moving the paint-stripingmachine, and guiding further movement of the paint-striping machinetoward the second location based on an alignment of the guidance linewith a stationary reference. A method in accordance with anotherembodiment includes instructing such a method.

Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Similarly, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only asingle item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of twoor more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpretedas including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items inthe list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally,the terms “comprising” and the like are used throughout this disclosureto mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greaternumber of the same feature(s) and/or one or more additional types offeatures are not precluded. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,”“front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” may be used herein toexpress and clarify the relationship between various elements. It shouldbe understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation.Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similarformulations means that a particular feature, structure, operation, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, various particularfeatures, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

We claim:
 1. A method for operating a paint-striping system, the methodcomprising: positioning a paint-striping machine at a first location,wherein a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine isabove a first end portion of a path for a planned paint stripe onpavement when the paint-striping machine is at the first location;moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement from the firstlocation toward a second location while dispensing paint from the nozzleonto the pavement to form a paint stripe along the path, wherein thenozzle is above an opposite second end portion of the path when thepaint-striping machine is at the second location; emitting, from aguidance system operably connected to the paint-striping machine, aplanar light region having a vertical orientation while moving thepaint-striping machine, wherein emitting the planar light region forms avisible guidance line; and guiding further movement of thepaint-striping machine along the pavement toward the second locationwhile maintaining an alignment of the guidance line with a stationaryreference while dispensing paint from the nozzle onto the pavement tocontinue the paint stripe along the path.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein: moving the paint-striping machine includes moving thepaint-striping machine toward a portable target having a reflectivesurface facing toward the paint-striping machine; and emitting theplanar light region includes emitting the planar light region such thatthe planar light region forms the visible guidance line on thereflective surface.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein: moving thepaint-striping machine includes moving the paint-striping machine towarda mark on the pavement designating the second end portion of the path;and emitting the planar light region includes emitting the planar lightregion such that the planar light region forms the visible guidance lineon the pavement.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein emitting the planarlight region includes emitting the planar light region from alight-emitting device of the guidance system, and wherein thelight-emitting device is carried by an outrigger of the paint-stripingmachine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the guidance system includesa light-emitting device configured to form the planar light region, anda mounting and containment assembly configured to provide an adjustableconnection between the light-emitting device and the paint-stripingmachine; and the method further comprises operably connecting thelight-emitting device to the paint-striping machine via the mounting andcontainment assembly.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein operablyconnecting the light-emitting device to the paint-striping machineincludes operably connecting the light-emitting device to thepaint-striping machine via an outrigger of the paint-striping machine.7. The method of claim 5 wherein operably connecting the light-emittingdevice to the paint-striping machine includes releasably connecting thelight-emitting device to the paint-striping machine via a clamp of themounting and containment assembly.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein:the guidance system includes a light-emitting device configured to formthe planar light region, and a mounting and containment assemblyconfigured to provide an adjustable connection between thelight-emitting device and the paint-striping machine; and the methodfurther comprises adjusting the mounting and containment assembly tochange a yaw angle of the planar light region while the light-emittingdevice is operably connected to the paint-striping machine.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein adjusting the mounting and containmentassembly to change the yaw angle of the planar light region includesslidably operating an adjustment mechanism of the mounting andcontainment assembly to change the yaw angle of the planar light region.10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the guidance system includes alight-emitting device configured to form the planar light region, and amounting and containment assembly configured to provide an adjustableconnection between the light-emitting device and the paint-stripingmachine; and the method further comprises adjusting the mounting andcontainment assembly to change a pitch angle of the planar light regionwhile the light-emitting device is operably connected to thepaint-striping machine.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein adjusting themounting and containment assembly to change the pitch angle of theplanar light region includes rotatably operating an adjustment mechanismof the mounting and containment assembly to change the pitch angle ofthe planar light region.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: theguidance system includes a light-emitting device configured to form theplanar light region, and a mounting and containment assembly configuredto provide an adjustable connection between the light-emitting deviceand the paint-striping machine; and the method further comprisesadjusting the mounting and containment assembly to change a roll angleof the planar light region while the light-emitting device is operablyconnected to the paint-striping machine.
 13. The method of claim 1wherein the guidance system includes a light-emitting device configuredto form the planar light region, and wherein emitting the planar lightregion includes passing light from a laser of the light-emitting devicethrough a fan lens of the light-emitting device.
 14. The method of claim1 wherein the pavement is pavement of a parking lot.
 15. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the paint-striping machine is a walk-behindpaint-striping machine.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein thepaint-striping machine is a riding paint-striping machine.
 17. A methodfor operating a paint-striping system, the method comprising: operatingan adjustment mechanism of a mounting and containment assembly of aguidance system operably connected to a paint-striping machine to changea yaw angle of a planar light region to be emitted from the guidancesystem; positioning the paint-striping machine at a first location,wherein a downwardly oriented nozzle of the paint-striping machine isabove a first end portion of a path for a planned paint stripe onpavement when the paint-striping machine is at the first location;moving the paint-striping machine along the pavement from the firstlocation toward a second location while dispensing paint from the nozzleonto the pavement to form a paint stripe along the path, wherein thenozzle is above an opposite second end portion of the path when thepaint-striping machine is at the second location; emitting, from theguidance system, the planar light region while moving the paint-stripingmachine, wherein emitting the planar light region forms a visibleguidance line; and guiding further movement of the paint-stripingmachine along the pavement toward the second location while maintainingan alignment of the guidance line with a stationary reference whiledispensing paint from the nozzle onto the pavement to continue the paintstripe along the path.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein operating theadjustment mechanism includes slidably operating the adjustmentmechanism.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the adjustment mechanismis a first adjustment mechanism, and wherein the method furthercomprises operating a second adjustment mechanism of the mounting andcontainment assembly to change a pitch angle of the planar light region.20. The method of claim 19 wherein operating the second adjustmentmechanism includes rotatably operating the second adjustment mechanism.